Emilio J. Soto Jr.

Emilio Joseph Soto Junior, 75 of New Fairfield, Connecticut beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, son-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and a great friend to many, left this world suddenly to be with our Heavenly Father on Thursday, January 20th, 2022.

Emilio was predeceased by his father Emilio Soto Senior, his mother Arsenia Diaz Soto and his brother Octaviano (Billy) Soto. Emilio was born at sea in the Pacific Ocean aboard the Chilean ship “Millabu” on March 27, 1946 while his mother was enroute to New York.

Emilio is survived by his wife of 50 years, Rosanne Tanzella Soto and his four beautiful children: his sons

Emilio III and wife Melissa, Christopher and his wife Erica, Joshua, and his daughter Gabriele, as well as his five grandchildren Anika, Emilio IV, Cecelia, Penelope and Alexandra. He is also survived by his sisters: Elisa (Jose Endara) of Rochelle Park, NJ and their daughters Nathalia, Nicolette (Rob Popovich) and Nadia, as well as Yolanda (Gary Durham) of Westport, CT.

Emilio was raised and educated in the Bronx, NY until his parents moved to New Fairfield in 1963 at which time he enlisted into the Navy. While in the Navy he served honorably and saw action in Vietnam and was stationed in many countries in the Pacific which included: Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines and Australia.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1967 he re-enlisted into the Coast Guard and was stationed on three Connecticut lighthouses, and served on several Coast Guard Cutters out of New London that patrolled the Long Island Sound. He was discharged from the Coast Guard in 1971. Upon his discharge from the Navy in 1967, Emilio met the “Love of His Life,” Rosanne Tanzella from New Fairfield. They married four years later after he was discharged from the Coast Guard in 1971. They have made New Fairfield their home since 1973. This past October 16, 2021 they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

After his discharge from the Coast Guard, he was briefly employed at Danbury Hospital and at Fairfield Hills Hospital in their Power Plants. He then began his career at the City of Danbury Department of Building Maintenance as their HVAC tech from 1973 until his retirement in 2009.

He went to night school at Henry Abbott Tech from 1975-1977 where he received his S2 license on completion of his studies.

Emilio could do anything he put his mind to! He built his home from the ground up. He was a “great boiler man”/steamfitter and was always there to help family or friends in need.

Emilio loved sports. He was an avid golfer and watched all the tournaments on TV. He loved fishing with his children. He loved the Yankees and often went to the games with his children. He was a New York fan, through and through!

Emilio loved his children. He was so proud of each and every one of them and would do anything for them. He was always there for them any time of day or night. He thought the world of his daughters-in-law, Melissa and Erica. Emilio adored his 5 grandchildren. His face would light up when they were around him or when he spoke about them. He was their “Poppa” and they were his “Hunnies.” He loved hugging and kissing and teasing them. He loved to make them laugh.

Emilio was diagnosed in 2015 with non-alcoholic liver disease and needed a transplant. He went through the long and grueling process of testing and so many doctors appointments. He was a trooper and did everything he was told to do. He had so many procedures and he was finally on the transplant list. While waiting for a donor he almost died, but God brought him through this crisis in 2018. Through the generosity of a donor and his family, Emilio finally received his new liver on January 26, 2019. This allowed us to have 3 more wonderful years with him. It was truly a gift from God and the wonderful staff in the organ transplant team and the doctors at Yale New Haven Hospital.

Emilio and Rosanne loved playing the slots at Mohegan Sun and going to concerts there. They always loved going to the “Big E” in the fall, shopping and going out to dinner. Emilio loved going to the Panda House and went there at least once a week. He could also be found at Lowe’s or Home Depot looking for “treasures” for their home.

Emilio loved to watch Fox on Cable, especially “The Five” and “Gutfeld.” He also loved watching the History Channels as he was a real history buff.

You could always find Emilio and Rosanne holding hands whenever they were out together or just watching tv in the playroom.

He always told Rosanne and all of their children and family that he loved them whenever they left the house or when ending a phone call. He simply loved them all and wanted to be sure they knew it.

Emilio was a good friend to so many and was loved by many!

Please remember Emilio in your prayers. His family is going to miss him terribly, but with the grace of God we will be able to move forward.

Please consider becoming an organ donor so that other families may receive the blessing of life and have extra time with their loved ones, as we did with Emilio.

Vaya Con Dios, Emilio!

Yo Te Amo!!

Visitation for Emilio will be held on Sunday, January 30, 2022, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St, Danbury, CT. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, January 31, 2022, at 10:30 AM at St. Peter Church, 104 Main St., Danbury, CT 06810. For a full online obituary please visit www.thegreenfuneralhome.com.